Vol. 6 No. 5 | September 8, 2009

Playing It Safe

by Lance Wigley, NAU Police

Student safety is a top priority for everyone on campus. In addition to the NAU Police Department, there are other systems and collaborations in place on campus to help make Northern Arizona University safe, including Campus Safety Aids (CSAs), Blue Light Phones, NAU Alert, and Residence Hall Watch.

CSAs are students who work in teams of two or three and patrol campus to provide safety escorts for other students. Your student can request a safety escort by calling 928-523-3611.

Emergency Blue Light Phones are located throughout campus, as well as at all residence hall main entrances and in all elevators. Simply pushing the call button connects to the campus police department dispatcher, who will instantly know your student’s location.

The NAU Alert is an opt-in campus emergency communication system. Once registered, short emergency or other urgent text messages will be sent to participants’ cell phones. The system will not be used to distribute advertising or other unsolicited content. Registration is free, but subscribers may have to pay fees associated with the phone service.

Sustaining Academic Habits

by Barry Eagle, Coordinator of Academic Programs, Residence Life

During this third week of the semester, our residence hall staff are focused on assisting students in developing positive academic habits. They are getting to know each of their residents by name and are inquiring about their academic majors or potential majors. This week, ask your student where he/she studies on campus and how that is working out. If it doesn’t seem too invasive, you might pull some resources out of your hat to assist your student in making time and space for studying while preparing for upcoming tests, papers, major assignments, and presentations.

Our north and south campus Learning Assistance Centers offer tutoring in many subjects including math, biology, chemistry, physics, languages, and composition, among others. Additionally, free, in-hall tutoring service is available Sunday through Wednesday nights from 7–10 PM in most Freshman Connections residence halls.

This has all been done before. No one needs to reinvent the wheel! Students may, however, need to simply be put in touch with online and in-hall resources that they can access as needed.

Health Tip - Flu Shots

by Beth Applebee, Fronske Health Center

The H1N1 virus—sometimes called swine flu—continues to spread across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Coconino County Health Department, and Northern Arizona University are anticipating a high volume of flu cases during the fall semester.

Along with the H1N1 flu, there will also be regular seasonal flu circulating. The CDC has recommended that individuals 6 months to 18 years should begin to receive the 2009–2010 seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.

A vaccine for H1N1 is not yet available, and when it becomes available it may be in limited supply. Fronske Health Center will be working with the County Health Department to receive the H1N1 vaccine and will advertise when it becomes available.

The cost for the seasonal flu vaccine is $20 and will be charged to each student’s LOUIE account. (Flu vaccine is free for those with the Gold Plan and Student Health Insurance).

Students should bring their NAUCard and wear short sleeve shirts to one of the following locations.

♦ On Friday, October 2, the NAU Wind Symphony will perform selections at 7:30 PM entitled, “Armed Forces Salute,” which promises to be an uplifting patriotic showcase.

♦ On the evening of Saturday, October 3, don’t miss out on the 16th annual Casino Nite hosted by NAU’s School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. It is sure to be fun-filled evening for the whole family. Beginning at 6 PM in the du Bois Conference Center on south campus, the night consists of dinner followed by hours of poker, craps, roulette, blackjack, raffles, and auctions.

♦ Before you leave on Sunday, October 4, be sure to enjoy brunch at the du Bois Center Ballroom. Brunch will be served from 10 AM until Noon.

Tickets and packages can be purchased in advance by submitting the Family Weekend Order Form. Pick up your tickets at Will Call, or have them mailed in advance for $2. Mailed orders must be received by 5 PM on Monday, September 21 to ensure delivery.

Event Highlights

♦ In August 2003, Sarah Panzau became a victim of her own drunk-driving crash, losing her left arm. Since the crash, Sarah’s life has taken a new direction. She now speaks to students about peer pressure, knowing your true friends, rising above disabilities, and making smart choices. Her powerful and emotional style captivates and connects with college students. Your student can see her presentation, “Living Proof” on Wednesday, September 9, 6 PM at the High Country Conference Center on north campus.

♦ “In the Footsteps of Yellow Woman” by 14-year-old filmmaker Camille Manybeads Tso debuts on Friday, September 11 at the Taala Hooghan Infoshop and Media Arts Center, 1926 N 4th St. #7B (between Summit Gymnastics and Hunan East) in Flagstaff at 7 PM. The film is a 26-minute docu-drama about a young teen Navajo girl who finds her own strengths through making a documentary about her grandmother and their ancestral history. (See the trailer on oybm.org)

Important Dates

Oct 2–4

Oct 24

Nov 11

Nov 26–27

Dec 7–10

Dec 11

Commencement
Last day of fall semester
Residence halls close at 10 AM

Dec 24–Jan 1

University winter closure

Jan 9, 2010

Residence halls open at 9 AM for spring semester

Jack Fact

You may not get to play golf with Tiger Woods or share the ice with Roberto Luongo. But, at the Wall Aquatic Center you might find yourself swimming next to internationally-known athletes like Australia’s Stephanie Rice. National swim squads from Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Denmark, and Norway train at the aquatic center to heighten their performance and prepare for, and in many cases win, some of the most prestigious swim competitions in the world.